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No abstract

Novel aqueous two-phase micellar systems (ATPMS) composed of Pluronic F68, a triblock amphiphilic copolymer, and cholinium-based ionic liquids (ILs) were formulated and applied for separation/purification of curcumin (CCM). CCM stability in the presence of ATPMS components was also evaluated. CCM is stable up to 24 h in copolymer (1.0-10.0 wt%) and ILs (0.1-3.0 M) aqueous solutions. Very mild phase separation conditions (close to room temperature) were achieved by adding cholinium ILs to the Pluronic F68 + McIlvaine buffer at pH 6.0 solution. The decrease of cloud-point temperature is dependent on the relative hydrophobicity of IL anion, [Hex] − > [But] − > [Pro] − > [Ac] − > Cl −. ATPMS composed of more hydrophobic ILs ([Ch] [Hex] > [Ch][But] > [Ch][Pro]) are most efficient in the partition of commercial CCM into polymeric micelles (PMs)-rich phase. The best ATPMS (0.70 M [Ch][But] and 0.60 M [Ch][Hex]-based ATPMS) were then used to purify CCM from a crude extract of Curcuma longa L. Both systems were very selective to separate CCM from protein-based contaminants (selectivity values ≥ 25; purification yields ≥ 12-fold). Pluronic F68-based ATPMS are promising for selective separation of hydrophobic biomolecules by using cholinium-based ILs as adjuvants to adjust phase separation temperatures and biomolecules' partition.

No abstract

Polymeric micelles (PMs) obtained by aqueous two-phase micellar systems (ATPMS) hold a large potential for cloud point (CP) extraction of biopharmaceuticals. However, the number of studies evaluating their capability to encapsulate drugs are still scarce, hence limiting their employment in formulations/systems. In this work, the effect of different choliniumbased ionic liquids (ILs) upon the clouding behavior of PEG-PPG-PEG amphiphilic triblock copolymer (Pluronic F68) was evaluated. The influence of the ILs on the binodal curves was dependent on the concentration and type of ILs added to the ATPMS. In summary, it was observed an increase of the biphasic region and the decrease of CP values (i.e. close to room temperature ~25 to 30ºC) by adding ILs to the copolymer aqueous solution.